Time and Clocks

“Time” and “clock” are ubiquitous notions that every physicist is working with, irrespectively of whether that work is experimental or theoretical in nature. In spite of that, the theoretical meanings as well as the operational realisations of these concepts are far from obvious and certainly not unique. A whole spectrum of shifts in, and losses of, interpretations occur in the transitions between classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, special-relativistic quantum-field theory, general relativity, and, finally, quantum gravity. As a result of this, issues arise that, up to this day, are the subject of challenging and often controversial debates. Recent developments in high-precision metrology partly help to resharpen but partly also refuel these controversies. Our seminar intends to bring together scientists from different disciplines in order to foster a productive dialogue on the problematic issues in connection with “time” and “clock”. We specifically aim to characterise, in scientific terms, a common understanding of what the “problem of time” really entails. Our seminar addresses Ph.D. students as well as researchers beyond their Ph.D. degree.

The conference language will be English. The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation bears the cost of full-board accommodation for all participants.